What caliber for firing squad?

[Hawkmoon]

The Norks held at least one execution by placing the condemned at the impact site of a pre-sighted mortar. IIRC the word used to describe the result was "obliterated."

Yes, and IIRC the condemned was the chubby dictator's own uncle.

[BobR]

The Norks held at least one execution by placing the condemned at the impact site of a pre-sighted mortar. IIRC the word used to describe the result was "obliterated."

Kim has come up with several "unique" ways to remove the undesirables from his influence.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/brutal-execution-methods-used-north-16512927

bob

[Jim147]

For pedo's and rapists I think feet first in a woodchipper is the proper thing to do.

[HeroHog]

Double aught buck, please.

[BobR]

For pedo's and rapists I think feet first in a woodchipper is the proper thing to do.

I would go so far as to suggest a spinal epidural to numb them from the hips down so the pain doesn't cause them to lose conscious too quickly. But hey, that's just me.


bob

[WLJ]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scaphism

[230RN]

I always heard that firing squads were told that one gun was loaded with a blank so that they could tell themselves that they had not fired the lethal shot, but that no blank was actually used.

From the perspective of someone who has shot live rounds vs blanks and even light loads, it is hard for me to figure how you would have any doubt whether you had a live round or not.

Agreed.  I even had a Discussion with a so-called gun expert who maintained that a person could not tell whether they had fired a blank or a live round

Having fired many blanks for Independence Day, I can attest the recoil is quite unmistakably different --a mild push instead of a solid whack. This Discussion revolved around the then-recent Gardner execution in Utah.

The reaction (kick) of twenty-thirty grains of blank powder does not equate to the reaction (kick) of ~35 grains of 3031 with a 150 grain bullet on top of it.

Terry, 230RN

[zxcvbob]

Agreed.  I even had a Discussion with a so-called gun expert who maintained one could not tell whether they had fired a blank or a live round. Having fired many blanks for Independence Day, I can attest the recoil is quite unmistakably different --a mild push instead of a solid whack. This Discussion revolved around the Gardner execution in Utah.

The reaction of twenty grains of blank powder does not equate to the reaction of forty grains of 3031 with a 130 grain bulllet on top of it.

Terry, 230RN

Perhaps it does in one's imagination and memory if he is feeling guilty after participating in a firing squad.

[Fly320s]

A firing squad seems a bit messy,  Plus, someone has to clean up the mess, unless the condemned is shot next to the grave/pit.

I'm still a fan of nitrogen asphyxiation. 

[Angel Eyes]

A firing squad seems a bit messy,  Plus, someone has to clean up the mess, unless the condemned is shot next to the grave/pit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ML6oLuLecQ4

[MillCreek]

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/is-bringing-back-firing-squads-for-executions-a-good-idea/

Again, nitrogen is essentially free, or giving someone an overdose of Fentanyl is quick and non-messy.

[Ben]

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/is-bringing-back-firing-squads-for-executions-a-good-idea/

Again, nitrogen is essentially free, or giving someone an overdose of Fentanyl is quick and non-messy.

I'm another fan of Nitrogen, which, unless I have missed it, no state government seems to even want to pursue as a viable option. Seems like a gas exchange system is a whole lot less complex than that Rube Goldberg system they have for lethal injections.

On the Fentanyl, that's what they gave my dad at end of life. For several hours before he passed, he was asleep, but it sure looked like he was having bad dreams. His head kept shaking back and forth like he was having a nightmare or something. I did not enjoy watching that.

[BobR]

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/is-bringing-back-firing-squads-for-executions-a-good-idea/

Again, nitrogen is essentially free, or giving someone an overdose of Fentanyl is quick and non-messy.

Fentanyl can be messy if given incorrectly, well not really messy as in dirty messy. If you push an IV dose too quick, or too much, it has a nasty side effect of causing chest wall rigidity, AKA Wooden Chest Syndrome. Without chest expansion you can't get that air moving, even intubating and bagging won't help. Someone would figure it out and cry "cruel", then it would be frowned on as an execution method.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23546488/

I wonder how many current fentanyl OD deaths are caused by this, just a random thought.

It can be really bad in neonates.

https://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Abstract/2000/03000/Fentanyl_induced_chest_wall_rigidity_and.37.aspx

But as in other opioid ODs, Narcan can fix it.

bob

[RocketMan]

Some states have considered or are considering conducting executions with nitrogen gas.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/17/alabama-nitrogen-hypoxia-new-execution-method

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/nitrogen-hypoxia-execute-human-bloodless-020249754.html

https://oklahomawatch.org/2018/07/17/puzzle-of-nitrogen-execution-could-present-issues-for-state/

https://www.npr.org/2018/03/17/594537757/oklahoma-tries-a-new-execution-method-nitrogen-gas

[sumpnz]

Some states have considered or are considering conducting executions with nitrogen gas.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/17/alabama-nitrogen-hypoxia-new-execution-method

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/nitrogen-hypoxia-execute-human-bloodless-020249754.html

https://oklahomawatch.org/2018/07/17/puzzle-of-nitrogen-execution-could-present-issues-for-state/

https://www.npr.org/2018/03/17/594537757/oklahoma-tries-a-new-execution-method-nitrogen-gas

They’re overthinking the N2 method.  Forget a face mask, hood, etc.  Build an airtight chamber and bolt down a chair with straps inside.  A microphone for the last statement. Intramuscular tranquilizers for uncooperative inmates.  Remote medical monitors to determine death.  And since N2 is already 78% of the atmosphere, unlike cyanide gas, vent the chamber to the outside and blow in regular air before personnel go in, and have O2 monitors (not visible to the condemned) to confirm it’s safe to enter following the execution (and/or provide SCBA equipment).  If they try to hold their breath, just wait a minute or two.  Most people can’t even hold it that long.

[RocketMan]

Those were exactly my thoughts.  And an anti-death penalty type in one of the articles called N₂ a "poison".  Maybe he should start a movement to ban the use of N₂.  We can't have that poison floating around in the atmosphere.

[RoadKingLarry]

Those were exactly my thoughts.  And an anti-death penalty type in one of the articles called N₂ a "poison".  Maybe he should start a movement to ban the use of N₂.  We can't have that poison floating around in the atmosphere.

While we're at it we need to ban dihydrogen monoxide.

[K Frame]

IIRC, Gary Gilmore was executed by a team using Model 94 Winchesters chambered in .30-30 WCF.

[sumpnz]

IIRC, Gary Gilmore was executed by a team using Model 94 Winchesters chambered in .30-30 WCF.

That would surprise me.  .308 would be my expectation, maybe .30-06.

[HeroHog]

45-70 Govt, please

[K Frame]

That would surprise me.  .308 would be my expectation, maybe .30-06.

Apparently the Utah Department of Corrections has been using Winchester 94s (as of Gilmore's execution in the 1970s) since the first decade of the 20th century.

Not surprising, really. 94s were a known entity, they were reliable, and it was likely that every guard who was handed one was familiar with the use and operation of a Winchester lever action.


It wasn't until the early 1970s that the Los Angeles Police Department ditched the .30-30 Winchester, one of which was in the trunk of each patrol sergeant's car.

[sumpnz]

I mean, 30-30 is obviously plenty.  Heck, 223/5.56 would be plenty.  Just seems like .308 would be used because it’s the military battle rifle caliber.

[WLJ]

I mean, 30-30 is obviously plenty.  Heck, 223/5.56 would be plenty.  Just seems like .308 would be used because it’s the military battle rifle caliber.

If they already have rifles which are already quite effective why spend the money on new ones just to change calibers?

[griz]

They should use the AR15 in 5.56. Afterall it is the most dangerous firearm in the world.

Does it blow the lungs out of the body like a 9MM does?

[Jim147]

Does it blow the lungs out of the body like a 9MM does?

Just wait until we get into the .45 caliber stuff.